A wide-ranging FBI investigation into political corruption in Alabama allegedly perpetrated by a prominent Auburn booster and casino owner took some interesting turns today.

(FBI-wiretapped Auburn booster pleads to attend Auburn BCS game)

The Auburn booster, Milton McGregor, will stand trial on April 4 on charges that he attempted to buy the influence of state politicians. If convicted on all charges, McGregor faces 285 years in a federal penitentiary and $4.5 million in fines.

McGregor is currently out on $500,000 bail and today asked federal judge Terry Moorer for a 72-hour pass to Arizona to attend Auburn’s BCS Championship Game against Oregon on January 10.

The Auburn booster’s request was promptly granted.

On November 17, 2010, TMZ.com reported, “the FBI investigation into the cash for Cam Newton scandal now involves a guy who gave more than $1 million to Auburn University … and was recently arrested in a bribery sting.”

More:

According to sources connected to the probe … FBI agents looking into the Newton recruiting controversy are also asking about Milton McGregor — a dog track owner arrested last month for allegedly bribing Alabama politicians to vote pro gambling.

We’re told agents asked someone connected to the Newton case if he was familiar with McGregor or the bribery scandal.

McGregor subsequently denied that he had any connection to Newton’s recruitment.

Last Friday I reported that one of McGregor’s co-defendants in the same federal case, Auburn alumnus and lobbyist Robert Geddie, fired his personal attorney three weeks ago while retaining Auburn’s lead NCAA defense attorney since 1991, Sam Franklin.